After pumping well over 6,000 gallons of water out of a sump to not have it lower at all, we are in need of a diver. The sump is located in a 40ft pit at the base of a 50ft cliff and is 200ft from the parking area, easy access. The water level does not fluctuate over the year except at high flood when the water gets pushed 70ft vertically up the pit and into the canyon. The cave is located near the Wyoming/Montana border if there are any divers interested. Over 2,000ft of limestone above the cave. We would really like to know what is on the other side.

There's a new cave diver whose done a lot of diving in Mexico caves, so I'll let him know; and, this might be a way of getting him into other things. I put a notice out in the WVG, but no takers, so far. Thanks for posting and we'll see what we can come up with.

Here are the rest of Ivan's qualifications, which I forgot to mention before: I have been certified as a cave diver since 2009 and have about 90 cave dives under my belt with my most recent foray about a month ago to the underwater caves in Merritt’s mill pond in Mariana Florida. I did most of my training in Mexico where I was initially certified by IANTD as a cave diver. I am now also certified by TDI as a side mount cave diver.

Ernie Coffman wrote:Here are the rest of Ivan's qualifications, which I forgot to mention before: I have been certified as a cave diver since 2009 and have about 90 cave dives under my belt with my most recent foray about a month ago to the underwater caves in Merritt’s mill pond in Mariana Florida. I did most of my training in Mexico where I was initially certified by IANTD as a cave diver. I am now also certified by TDI as a side mount cave diver.

Ernie, there's a world of difference between Mexican caves and sumps. Maybe your pal, Ivan, is perfectly qualified---I don't know. But Mexican caves are as benign as they come. Sumps are as non-benign as they come.

Ernie Coffman wrote:Don't know what to say. Just read what he wrote. He's not my pal, but a new NSS caver and diver, so maybe you can check him out. <grin>

Some people can be rather condescending to new cave divers. He's almost got his Abe Davis Award and that's good. I have a lot of respect for cavers who take up cave diving. I think they really know what they're getting into. But divers who've only dived in FL or MX may not really appreciate what sumps are like. I'm not saying they're not qualified. They may be great. It's just that I wouldn't take it for granted that they "get" sumps.

I have nothing but respect for the large majority of divers I've met. I've always said that I wouldn't start diving until I was diagnosed with a terminal illness or they came up with some awesome attach-n-go gills! Though I do keep running into all these sumps...

firemedic1015 wrote:It sounds like you need a heated vest for under your drysuit!

What I need is a full face mask so that my lips and cheeks don't feel like they are being stabbed by daggers! The other problem is that the gloves to keep my hand functional in 50s degree water make it hard enough to run a reel. In the 30s, bleah! Nope, a personal warm water envelope, that's what I need!